Send me email updates about messages I've received on the site and the latest news from The CafeMom Team.
By signing up, you certify that you are female and accept the Terms of Service and have read the
Privacy Policy.

Merry CHRISTmas! ... and Nativity Sets displayed

We are currently celebrating a federal holiday ...Christmas! And I'd like to be able to say "Merry Christmas" wherever and whenever I want. And I don't want to have to apologize for doing so. I am offended that some companies are forbidding their employees from saying, "Merry Christmas" to their customers. I resent the fact that some companies have elected to remove all signage which references CHRISTMAS not because they WANT to but because they've received complaints from customers who do not celebrate Christmas. I resent that my daughter is not permitted to display her Nativity Set at her elementary school; but her classmate has been permitted to display a Menorah and talk about Hanukkah and dreidels. I am angered that people have made specific requests to have the Nativity Set removed from the fronts of Government buildings. And I resent that a cross (which stood for 75 years in memory of fallen soldiers) had to be moved from the cemetery which was owned by local government. And a tree that is decorated and stands in front of a government building must be called a HOLIDAY tree and not a CHRISTMAS tree? What the heck is going on with this country? Are any of you experiencing things like this in your neighborhood? And if so, how do you feel about it?

That's a lot of negative emotion for a happy holiday...that's not healthy :/

And not everyone is Christian...you may display whatever you want on your private property...government has no business endorsing any religion...how is that not fair?

Do you see the hypocrisy here? You are offended that you can't celebrate everywhere, while ignoring and being angry about the fact that others are offended because they don't celebrate and it's everywhere...

Hmm. Federal holiday, all banks and government offices closed for business. Yet, a lot of cities are banning nativity displays, stores are banning the very word Christmas, and schools are celebrating every other winter holiday except for Christmas.

All those who support this separation of church and state, and believe that there should not be a display of anything Christmas on any government and/or public property, you need to write you congress people, and demand that this one day be taken off the federal holiday list, that Congress be in session over Christmas, that all the banks and government offices remain open, as this is a religious holiday and not a federal holiday. See how far you get with it.

Even though there are a few who do not celebrate "Christmas," it IS a holiday, and to diminish it is just Scroogey.

Pope's new book challenges Nativity scene: Says no animals in manger

A new book being released this week comes from Pope Benedict XVI, and it challenges a staple of Christmas time as millions know it. As reported by CNN on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, the pope's new book debunks what he says to be several myths about how the entireNativity scene actually happened and unfolded.

Pope Benedict doesn't want to change Christmas, but he does want people to know the real truth.

Photo credit:

Getty Images

Wait, there's more.

The pope's research also discovered that there is no evidence anywhere in the Gospels that the cattle, donkeys, and others animals were actually present. These animals are also a staple of the Nativity scene and traditionally present in it.

He also debunks a myth that angels sang at the birth of Jesus. This is even a bigger issue considering that event is the inspiration for traditional Christmas carols and hymns.

The book will be published in multiple languages, and will be released just in time for Christmas. It is the third book in a series by the pope. The first two volumes spoke of Jesus' adult life and His public ministry.

Alessandro Speciale, a Vatican correspondent for the Religion News Service, told CNN that the pope wasn't looking to just debunk Christmas myths and history. The pope is merely trying to show that the Jesus depicted in the Gospels is a real person that walked the earth like everyone else.

Just because the research that the pope has done shows that animals and angels weren't actually present in the manger scene of Jesus' birth; he doesn't suggest that people abandon their traditions.

"The pope is a traditional man and he doesn't want people at all to change their traditions," Speciale said.

"Jesus of Nazareth - The Infancy Narratives" is a 176-page book that hits stores this week. It traces Jesus' life up to the age of 12 when He, according to Gospels, was presented by his parents in the Temple in Jerusalem.

If any of you geniuses can show me a separation of church and state case, where the criterion for the decision was whether or not there was a federal holiday, please cite that case so that I can read it.

During this National Holiday of Christmas, I'd like it to be permitted to be acknowledged.

If there's a national holiday for Hanukkah, it should be permitted the same.

My interpretation of "Separation of church and state" means that government shall not impose on religion...not the other way around. It was meant to protect a person's religious beliefs. It doesn't mean that a cross can't be on the step of a gov't building. Government displaying a cross in memory of fallen soldiers is not a way of "endorsing a religion." To me, the cross represents life and death and the commemoration of it.

I am not "ignoring and being angry about the fact that others are offended because they don't celebrate and it's everywhere..." It's obvious that other faiths (or atheists) are offended at these religious references and greetings. I wouldn't be opposed to those groups placing symbols of their beliefs on the steps of gov't buildings either. Nor would I be offended if I were greeted with a "Happy Hanukkah." But I don't think it's right for any employer to limit an employees freedom of expression by disallowing him to greet customers with whatever greeting they feel at the time.

Until this country eliminates the National holiday, CHRISTMAS, it needs to acknowledge it and not let non-Christians bully companies and gov't into not celebrating it.

Quoting LucyMom08:

That's a lot of negative emotion for a happy holiday...that's not healthy :/

And not everyone is Christian...you may display whatever you want on your private property...government has no business endorsing any religion...how is that not fair?

Do you see the hypocrisy here? You are offended that you can't celebrate everywhere, while ignoring and being angry about the fact that others are offended because they don't celebrate and it's everywhere...

When I was a young girl the spirit of Christmas was shared by most ppl. Those who did not celebrate Christmas did not spend time removing Nativity scenes or any memory of the birth of Jesus from public places. Times certainly have changed. Many are not respectful of their neighbors. I enjoyed the sounds of Christmas carolers in my front yard. I couldn't wait to take a ride in the car with my siblings & parents to view the Christmas decorations thru out the city. Going Christmas shopping, saying Merry Christmas to those passing by. I looked forward to the Christmas party @ my school with my classmates to exchange gifts & sing Christmas songs. The students gathered in the school auditorium to see the yearly Christmas play. These events were @ a public school. The absence of Jesus invites turmoil and disrespect for others. I don't mind ppl. celebrating their beliefs and special occasions but not @ the expense of pushing Jesus out. Christmas has been celebrated for more than 2000 yrs. The birth of our Lord brings peace & comfort to many~

Send me email updates about messages I've received on the site and the latest news from The CafeMom Team.
By signing up, you certify that you are female and accept the Terms of Service and have read the
Privacy Policy.